The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Migori Branch has officially ended their month-long strike after reaching a return-to-work agreement with the county government on issues that included compensation, career progression, and health coverage.
The health workers, who had downed their tools in August, were instructed to resume duty within 24 hours following successful consensus between their union representatives and county health administrative officials.
Speaking at the Migori County Referral Hospital, Secretary of the Kenya Clinical Officer-Migori Branch Maurine Maramba announced the immediate end of the industrial action, calling on all union members to report back to their respective workstations without delay.
“All clinical officers are required to be back at work within the next 24 hours, as all the grievances and petitions we presented to the county government have been fully addressed,” said Maramba.
The negotiated settlement addresses critical administrative and welfare demands that sparked the prolonged strike, including full implementation of clinical career guidelines, accurate job group alignment for all clinicians, enhanced risk allowances, and comprehensive medical cover.
The agreement also includes provisions to drop pending disciplinary actions initiated against union members during the labour dispute.
Union leadership emphasised that the resumption of duties remains tied to strict adherence to the agreed roadmap, establishing a clear monitoring framework for the coming quarter.
“We have set a three-month tracking window to monitor the full execution of every clause in this agreement. Should the employer fail to honour these terms within this timeframe, we will reopen negotiations and determine the next course of action,” she explained.
County health officials welcomed the resolution, reassuring residents that normal clinical operations and specialized healthcare services have fully resumed across all public health facilities.
Migori County Director of Medical Services Dan Ochieng applauded both the county leadership and the health officials for coming together to strike a workable consensus for a return-to-work formula.
Ochieng, however, urged residents of Migori to freely visit the referral hospitals and health centers across the county, promising them that full medical operations have resumed.
By Beryl Akinyi and Makokha Khaoya
